When I Think of Research...

Through this course I have learned so much about how to conduct research, as well as how to become a researcher. Being an early educator, I did not realize how much research I actually do without thought and planning on a daily basis.

I learned so much about ethics in research, especially involving young children. Although parents or guardians give consent for their child/children to participate in any kind of research study, it is best to inform the child of what is taking place, and to be asked if they are okay with participating.  There are also times when study has reached a poor outcome for the child, and the legal guardians are present to advocate for their child.

Deciding on a desired topic, what method to choose for a study, who will be involved, as well as clear understanding of risk and expectations are some of the lessons I have learned while conducting research in early childhood.

The biggest challenge I encountered was having a lack of materials to facilitate my study, as well as lack of feedback from families.

As a result of this course, I have gained the resources and knowledge to continue my quest as an educator as well as researcher, my hope is to improve inclusion and enhance diversity within my centers curriculum with the help of my fellow co-workers.

Exploring Early Childhood International Research.

 In this week’s blog my colleagues and I were asked to explore early childhood international research. The site I chose was Early Childhood in Australia. Some of the research topics within in this site were:

• Ways of thinking, acting and relating about sustainability
• Pedagogy: Programs and relationships in practice
• Professional partnerships in children’s services: Working together for children

I particularly, found interest in the events and conferences offered for professionals who were interested in facilitating the growth, development, and learning of children. Examples of the conferences and classes are:

·         Sharing sensitive news with parents about their child’s development.

·         Helping parents of late talkers use gesture to support expressive language development.

·         Helping parents use routines to promote young children’s interaction and language skills.

·         Coaching parents in how to play.

·         Making book reading a time for interaction and conversation.

Early Childhood Australia, also offers great resources, research, and references for families interested in healthier eating habits, Asthma and asthma management, Baby and infant oral health, and information on backyard safety.

Reference:

Early Childhood Australia: A voice for young children. Retrieved from http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/

Research that Benefits Children and Families—Uplifting Stories

This week we were asked to Share a positive example of the effects of research on children and/or families. I chose to write about an interesting article I found an article on after school program quality and student outcomes.

The article discussed research on children’s academic and social success after attending an after school program. Studies show that quality after school programs are based around strong academic support, consistency with primary school learning, positive social attributes that help children learn to work as a community, as well as helping to build children’s motivation, and self-esteem.

“Whether they are called after school, expanded learning opportunities, out-of-school time, or something else, we know from research that these types of opportunities can lead to positive outcomes for children and youth, as well as families, communities, and schools" (Durlak, Weissberg, & Pachan, 2011; Eccles & Gootman, 2002; Mahoney, Vandell, Simpkins, & Zarrett, 2009).
 http://www.expandinglearning.org/expandingminds/article/afterschool-program-quality-and-student-outcomes-reflections-positive-key#sthash.iu7K1TmN.dpuf

There are assessment tools being created by the Academic and Research community, to help promote and support high quality after school and summer care programs. The tools can assist with and facilitate:

·         Assess such factors as program quality and attendance.

·         Staff beliefs, attitudes, education, and training.

·         Staffing patterns, including recruitment and retention

·         Student performance in specific domains and skills, such as behavior and academic achievement

With success, this research can not only help motivate children’s success academically, and socially, but also pave the way for funding to provide more after school programs, for at-risk youth in the community.

Reference:

After school Program Quality and Student Outcomes: Reflections on Positive Key Findings on Learning and Development From Recent Research. Retrieved from http://www.expandinglearning.org/expandingminds/article/afterschool-program-quality-and-student-outcomes-reflections-positive-key#sthash.iu7K1TmN.dpuf

My Personal Research Blog. EDUC 6163-2

Welcome colleagues! I am excited to began this research journey, in hopes of becoming a better researcher and writer. 
For this week's blog, we were asked to choose a topic of interest, and add sub topics. Here is a very rough draft:

Topic:  Implementing an Anti-Bias Classroom and Curriculum.

 1.     Creating the environment:

A.   How do educators incorporate each child’s identity within the classroom?

B.   What materials are needed that can be included in the environment?

2.     Implementation:

A.   How educators do began to teach anti-bias to young children?

B.   What type of benefits can be gained from teaching children about awareness and bias in the classroom?

3.     Ongoing Integration:

A.   How do educators continue to teach anti-bias, to become apart of daily curriculum?

I realize that I have a long way to go, but I am hopeful as the course goes on, I will become more proficient. I chose this topic because it is so important for young

children’s understanding about identity, having a sense of belonging, as well as the importance of gender and race.Classrooms should be display each child's uniqueness, family, and creativity. 

As you are viewing my post, please provide any  suggestions, on things I may need to change or add, also any resources you may have and are willing to share.

 

 Resources:

 Creating an Anti-Bias Environment. Retrieved from
www.adl.org/.../c/creating-an-anti-bias-learning-environment.html

Implementing an Anti-Bias Curriculum in Early Childhood. Retrieved from www.ericdigests.org/1992-1/early.htm

What I learned Internationally about the Childhood Field.

As we have come to the end of our course, I have gained so much information and resources about the EC field over all. Most importantly, I was challenged to step out of my comfort zone of learning specifically about EC in my county, to expand my learning internationally. Three things I have learned about Child development internationally are:

• The importance of maintaining and preserving ones’ home language, when entering another country.
• The United States recognizes the importance of early education, while many other countries are still in the development process.
• How health and nutrition can have a huge impact on a child’s development, and ability to learn.

Through this course I have also learned how to be a leader, and an advocate for all children, and resources on how to design my classroom environment to facilitate the unique differences that each child and family member may bring.

“The idea of belonging and membership, being part of a community, is a basic human need. It’s one of the principles of our democratic society. We all have the same needs, we want to be loved, we want to have friends, we want to feel that we are making a contribution in our families, in our communities…we learn about understanding what someone’s interests and point of view are by interacting with them. To include everyone is to open up those possibilities for learning and appreciating our humanity.”

Dr. Joseph Petner, Educator

Getting To Know Your International Contacts Part 3

This week as an alternative assignment, we were asked to view a website through UNESCO’S Early Childhood Education. The importance of this website is to look closely into the professional field of Early Educators, as well as defining the role of quality care for children.

Research shows the most critical period for children’s brain development occurs between the birth to eight years of age http://www.unesco.org/new/en/education/themes/strengthening-education-systems/early-childhood/.

In order for children to receive quality care, and a curriculum that will help facilitate all of their developmental needs, professionals need to have access to effective trainings, funding to support or continue their education, and workshops that will continue to keep professionals current on licensing regulations, and best practice policies.

In this week’s reading resource it states that “The ECCE workforce is often made up of a diverse group of pre-school teachers, care workers, informal careers and other professionals. Adequate training and work conditions are essential so they can integrate the content and practice of early childhood care and education and address the transition to formal schooling” http://www.unesco.org/new/en/education/themes/strengthening-education-systems/early-childhood/quality/.

To ensure we are meeting the needs of all children, there needs to be a partnership between home, school, and community, that also emphasis’s the importance of play and hands on experiences, in preparation to primary education.

Research shows that, “  Active involvement from parents and communities and relevant play and learning materials ensure that early childhood services remain relevant to the needs of the children and all other stakeholders and increases sustainability” http://www.unesco.org/new/en/education/themes/strengthening-education-systems/early-childhood/quality/.

Further into the reading article, another interesting fact was the issue of funding, and providing quality care for children coming from lower income homes, and continuing to provide a holistic approach to learning, that will meet all sectors of diverse communities. Preserving natural environments, and providing professionals with the proper tools to help children become successful, is a huge key to children staying abroad their social, and cognitive development, and help to reduce the large gap of low academic achievement across the board.

Reference:

 Early Childhood care and Education. Retrieved from http://www.unesco.org/new/en/education/themes/strengthening-education-systems/early-childhood/access-and-equity/.

Sharing Web Resources.

This week we discussed children from low SES, ESL, and other differences that may create a barrier for children to enter quality care programs, which will aid in success academically later in life. I noticed a few barriers in the professional contact website I have been following:

While continuing my journey through the; National Center for Children in Poverty (NCCP). I came across a link that followed a few Articles in the New York Times.

The first article talked about the reasons other countries teach better, “The American work force has some of the weakest mathematical and problem-solving skills in the developed world, adults in the United States scored far below average and better than only two of 12 other developed comparison countries, Italy and Spain. Worse still, the United States is losing ground in worker training to countries in Europe and Asia whose schools are not just superior to ours but getting steadily better” http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/18/opinion/why-students-do-better-overseas.html?smid=pl-share&_r=0.

America’s stature as an economic power is being threatened by societies above us and below us on the achievement scale. Wealthy nations with high-performing schools are consolidating their advantages and working hard to improve. At the same time, less-wealthy countries like Chile, Brazil, Indonesia and Peru, have made what the O.E.C.D. describes as “impressive gains catching up from very low levels of performance.” In other words, if things remain as they are, countries that lag behind us will one day overtake us http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/18/opinion/why-students-do-better-overseas.html?smid=pl-share&_r=0.

Another important article linked to the success of children and adults in countries beyond the U.S, discussed how there were too few girls and minorities attending math and science studies.

“Women make up nearly half the work force but have just 26 percent of science, technology, engineering or math jobs, Blacks make up 11 percent of the workforce but just 6 percent of such jobs and Hispanics make up nearly 15 percent of the work force but hold 7 percent of those positions. There is no question that women and minorities have made progress in science and math in the last several decades, but their gains have been slow and halting. And in the fast-growing field of computer science, women’s representation has actually declined in the last 20 years, while minorities have made relatively small gains” http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/11/opinion/too-few-girls-and-minorities-study-tech-subjects.html.

References:

Why Other Countries Teach Better: Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/18/opinion/why-students-do-better-overseas.html.

Missing From Science Class : Too Few Girls and Minorities Study Tech Subjects. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/11/opinion/too-few-girls-and-minorities-study-tech-subjects.html.